About 15 centimetres of snow that recently blanketed Saskatoon has been cleared off city streets, and while motorists may be rejoicing, snow clearing can bring challenges for people with mobility issues.

Joyce Phillips, regional director of the Saskatchewan Abilities Council, said it’s critical for people of all mobility levels to be able to access their community, which isn’t always possible if the access point of a sidewalk or bus stop is covered in snow.

“When the snow plow comes, just accessing the curb-cuts and getting to the bus stops, those kinds of things … are really tough for them,” she said. “It’s cold, but people with disabilities want the same kind of things as anyone else. They need to be able to get into their community.”

According to the City of Saskatoon, city facilities are “accessible and cleared by various divisions” and bylaws require home and business owners to clear their sidewalks to a “reasonable standard” within 48 hours.

Enforcement of the bylaw — which includes fines of up to $1,000 for individuals or $2,000 for corporations — is “largely complaint based.”

Delynne Bortis, the client service co-ordinator at Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan Inc., said while sidewalks are normally cleared, it’s snow ridges and uneven surfaces left behind from snow clearing that cause safety concerns.

“If your front wheels hit, you take off,” she said. “It’s also a major issue along the sides of the roads where people are trying to get their ramps down.”

“If you try to get your ramp down, and you’re on a snowbank, you’re ramp doesn’t hit the sidewalk and then you’re left flying off.”

Saskatchewan Abilities Council regional director Joyce Phillips sits at a bus stop in front of their building where sidewalks are properly cleared of snow.Michelle Berg /
Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Bortis said she’s also experienced instances where snow has been pushed onto sidewalk ramps, sometimes the only one point of access, resulting in more obstacles and more time outside for people with mobility issues trying to access a business or service.

“For people that utilize our service a lot — people with spinal cord injuries — we have a huge issue with temperature control, and the cold is awful,” she said. “If you’re trying to get out of your vehicle and then you’re stuck in the snow … you’re frozen by the time you get there.”

“You spend two days trying to get warm,” she said.

Challenges associated with snow can start before a person even leaves home said Cheryl Loadman, executive director of Saskatoon Services for Seniors. She said demand for the organization’s shovelling program is “overwhelming” once the snow flies.

“We do try to respond to the needs of the city, but snow shovelling is a hard service to provide,” she said, noting timing and limited resources can present challenges.

Loadman said while the city snow-clearing crews could take more care in ensuring there are no snow piles in front of pedestrian street signals, bus stops and garbage bins, crews are typically quick in their response to complaints and concerns. However, residents also have a role to play.

“The reality is that we all need to be responsible citizens and get out there and clean our sidewalks.”

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